Talk in Action: Interactions, Identities, and Institutions

Talk in Action explores the workings of language and interaction in the everyday life of institutions. In doing so, it introduces students to the methodology of Conversation Analysis (CA) and its applications in the real world.

Beginning with a theoretical and methodological overview of the roots of CA, the book explores the intersections between interactional practices, social identities, and institutional tasks. By focusing on four institutional domains – emergency telephone calls, doctor–patient interactions, law courts, and mass communication – the authors showcase the significance of CA research in areas that have deep impact and significance in our daily lives. 

This expanding, dynamic field crosses the boundaries of subjects such as linguistics, sociology, and communication studies. Talk in Action provides a necessarily interdisciplinary overview of Conversation Analysis, using a unique focus on real-world applications to provide an engaging and accessible introduction.